Am I unwell or not?

[Womble1007]

Long story - breathlessness on exertion, various bloods (normal) and X-Rays (contentious) until sent for a CT scan for lung cancer after a year of pestering my GP.

CT scan reveals lung scarring from dust(? was thought to be asbestos, but lung clinic say not) plus "narrowed arteries"

GP ECG abnormal with " previous MI" listed - GP tells me its just their system is oversensitive; local hospital cardio nurse agrees ECG not right - - referred for angiogram/plasty.

Lung clinic say damage is not asbestos, could be dust (I'm a plumber/builder), more bloods for autoimmune, come back in 6 months, maybe its heart related. Lung efficiency as expected for 60 years, ergo not bad.

Just had angio Tuesday, consultant tells me there's nothing wrong with my arteries, no need for statins/aspirin/clopidogrel. No chest pain. Discharged from cardio.

I'm at a loss whether I have CHD or not, whether its lung related, or whether its because I'm carrying weight (which is now coming off).

I'd just like to know for my insurance TBH.

Sorry for the rant, but I keep second guessing.

[bluemoon572]

It appears that a heart cause of your symptoms has been ruled out and a pulmonary cause is likely, Did pulmonary function testing show abnormalities?

[Womble1007 in reply to bluemoon572]

Hi, thanks for replying.

No - normal lung function and recovery for my age. I've noted it exercising too - normal resp back <3min.

[Happyrosie]

well - it does sound a bit like everything is OK, doesn’t it? Bloods normal. Arteries normal. Lungs normal. Heart normal.

So breathless because you are getting older and are a bit overweight?

I expect you’ve been given lifestyle advice by your doctor (diet and exercise) but if not, there are a few avenues of help.

Firstly, many local councils organise this kind of thing - stopping smoking, losing weight and so on. So have a look around the website of your local authorities.

Another is that your doctor’s groups of practices probably employs what’s called “social prescribers”. Your do ‘s website might give details, or pop on to the doc’s surgery and speak to the receptionist.

Let us know how you get on.

[Murderfan58]

Ask your GP to refer you to hematology and ask for your whole genome to be genetically to be tested. I was born disabled and my parents where told the constant pain my legs were growing pains and my falls where because I was clumsy. Very long story short all the electronic tests I had after my limbs jerks started in 1988 where negative. I moved from 5 years ago to the north west of England a move of over 100 miles. And my new GP sent me to see my neurologist after having a seizure one a month for 4 months which lasted 8-10 hours and took my speech for hours . Still having limb jerks . Saw my neurologist January 2020 he didn't know what was wrong but put me on low dose of Clonazepam and within 2 weeks my limbs where still after 32 years not being able to control them . He sent my blood to have my whole genome genetically tested. Covid hit so he didn't get the results until March 2022. Saw him 1st of April so at the age of 63 finally found out what I was born with and it's rare hereditary Hyperekplexia gene mutation SLC6A5 type 3. He had never had a patient with it nor this colleagues . I was under a neurologist in the black country he could have put me on Clonazepam and had my blood tested but didn't.

Also found out in 2020/2021 I was born with a small hole in the side of my heart as my GP sent me to see a cardiologist and he asked me if I had an echocardiogram which I hadn't he didn't expect to find anything but did so had bubble echo . Radiographer said we can see the bubbles but not where expected so ran the test 3 times. I had to laugh when my cardiologist told me about the hole as I have had 3 major ops and 2 minor ops all with a dicky heart.

Had MRI on my heart in 2921 and found the connections between the chambers of my heart are whole and have strong heart function but the hole is small and unless I get chest pain safer to leave alone which I am happy with. I do get breathless especially in very hot or very cold weather. Have PAF on Flecainide and Apixaban and take Ramipril for my BP. I am now 66. Having both diagnosis has changed my life for the better and on medication that works .

[20thJan]

I complained of breathlessness during 2023,had all the tests(stress test couldn't finish because of out of breath)dye ct angiogram,echocardiogram.Was told in December 2023 slight furring due to age,but then discharged. 1 month later suffered serious heart attack,thankfully still here to tell the tale.

Cardiologist who removed the clot and stented me said it had been coming on for a while,i.e. blocked artery.

My advice seriously request further investigation or pay to get a private consultation with a cardiogist.

Hope all goes well regardless...best wishes.

[MountainGoat52 in reply to 20thJan]

Hi 20th Jan,

Have you had your Homocysteine level checked? A high level makes a person more susceptible to blood clots. It might be a factor for you. Easy to overcome with flats / vitamin B.

Gerald

[20thJan in reply to MountainGoat52]

Don't know if its a test they would do in hospital after HA? certainly something to enquire about, so thanks for the advice ..

[roughquest]

I’ve sent you a message fella 👍

[fishonabike]

I am sorry to hear that you have been left with no answers but are still struggling with the breathing issue - it must be frustrating and disappointing not to have anything treatable identified

one of the problems is that when doctors say that everything is normal they really mean "the tests we have done have not told us what is going wrong for you" , but that does not mean that there is nothing wrong, it could mean:

1. that they have not done the right test to identify your problem - if you are looking for how many blue things are in a box you don't count the yellow ones!

2. that there is no test for it, so they have to test for everything else to exclude that and you must have the only one on the list that's left - or there is no test because it has not been recognised as a condition yet (you can for something if you don't know it exists)

3. that you have a condition which they can test for but your test results show up as below the level they recognise as unusual (e.g. my normal body temperature is much lower than the average, so I can have what is a high temperature for me, which is below the temperature which is normal for most, so I feel really ill but my temperature reading says I'm ok)

that does not explain what might be causing your symptoms but I hope it helps to explain why the doctors can't find out for you - don't give up, keep notes on what is happening for you and keep asking to be referred to someone who will look deeper or in a different way